Malignant neuroleptic syndrome following deep brain stimulation surgery: a case report

Parkinsonism-Hyperpyrexia Syndrome and Dyskinesia-Hyperpyrexia Syndrome in Parkinson's Disease: Two Cases and Literature Review

Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS) and dyskinesia-hyperpyrexia syndrome (DHS) are rare but exhibit life-threatening complications in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We herein presented two cases of PD patients and performed a comprehensive and comparative literature review for these two syndromes. The first case was diagnosed as PHS with cerebral salt wasting syndrome caused by abrupt withdrawal of antiparkinsonian medication. Her symptoms were gradually remitted with reinstitution of the medication. The second one was an early-stage PD patient diagnosed as DHS in association with abuse of antiparkinsonian drugs. Her symptoms were gradually remitted with reduced dosage of dopaminergic drugs. Results of literature reviews revealed a total of 56 and 13 cases of PHS and DHS, respectively, and they were more likely to occur in elderly and long-term PD patients. These two syndromes showed different female-to-male ratio, similar mortality, and different recovery time. There were stark differences between PHS and DHS, including triggers (abrupt drug stoppage versus drug abuse), symptoms (worsened tremor and rigidity versus continuous dyskinesia), and treatment (drug reinstitution versus drug reduction). In summary, our reports and the review provide new insights into PHS and DHS in association with PD and may facilitate rapid discrimination of the syndromes for timely and proper treatment to reduce mortality.

Where Are We with Deep Brain Stimulation? A Review of Scientific Publications and Ongoing Research

BACKGROUND

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neuromodulatory technique that delivers adjustable electrical stimuli to brain targets to relieve symptoms associated with dysregulated neural circuitry. Over the last several decades, DBS has been applied to a number of conditions, including motor, pain, mood, and cognitive disorders. An assessment of the body of work in this field is warranted to determine where we have been, define the current state of the field, and chart a path toward the future.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the state of DBS-related research by analyzing the DBS literature as well as active studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [DFG]).

METHODS

Peer-reviewed DBS publications were extracted from PubMed. Active NIH-funded DBS projects were extracted from the RePORT database and active DFG projects from the German Research Foundation database. Records were analyzed using custom-developed algorithms to generate a detailed overview of past and present DBS-related research. Specifically, records were categorized by publication year, journal, language, country of origin, contributing authors, disorder, brain target, study design, and topic. Expected project duration and costs were also provided for active studies.

RESULTS

In total, 8,974 publications, 172 active NIH-funded projects, and 34 active DFG projects were identified. Records spanned 52 different disorders across 31 distinct brain targets and showed a recent shift toward studies examining conditions other than movement disorders. Most published works involved human research (80.6% of published studies), of which 10.2% were identified as clinical trials. Increasingly, studies focused on imaging or electrophysiological changes associated with DBS (69.8% NIH-active and 70.6% DFG-active vs. 25.8% published) or developing new stimulation techniques and adaptive technologies (37.8% NIH-active and 17.6% DFG-active vs. 6.5% published).

CONCLUSIONS

This overview of past and present DBS-related studies provides insight into the status of DBS research and what we can anticipate in the future concerning new indications, improved/novel target selection and stimulation paradigms, closed-loop technology, and a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of DBS.

Widening spectrum of neuroleptic malignant syndrome: Case series

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare and rapidly progressive syndrome with mortality rate of 5.6%. The spectrum of onset, progression and outcome is heterogeneous and is associated with number of risk factors. In our case series, we entail the triggers, hospital course and outcome of five interesting in-patient cases that were admitted to our service in a tertiary care hospital in Northern India. This case series is to highlight the first ever reported case of NMS triggered by levosulpiride administration, along with one of the few first cases of NMS after programming of DBS, hypothyroid disorders, levodopa readjustment and selective basal ganglia and cerebellar injury following the hyperthermic syndrome. This is also to bring to attention of clinicians worldwide the atypical risk factors of NMS, and stress the importance of staying vigilant for the same by frequent follow-ups and high degree of clinical suspicion. We also aim to generate epidemiological data about these atypical triggers.

Malignant deep brain stimulator withdrawal syndrome

Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS) is a neurologic potentially fatal emergency that mimics neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It commonly presents as systemic inflammatory response syndrome, acute onset worsening of muscular rigidity, autonomic instability, hyperpyrexia, confusion, diaphoresis and high creatine phosphokinase. The most common trigger for PHS is reduction or withdrawal of anti-Parkinson’s medications, especially levodopa. It was also reported in a few cases following deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus surgery shortly after anti-Parkinson’s medications were discontinued. Rare causes of PHS include deep brain stimulator (DBS) malfunction due to battery depletion. To the best of our knowledge, PHS following DBS battery depletion was reported only in three occasions. Here, we report a case of PHS due to DBS battery depletion presented as sepsis and was successfully treated with the administration of dopamine agonists, intravenous fluids and changing the DBS battery.

Life-threatening parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome following bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus

Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS), or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), is a neurophysiologic reaction to the acute withdrawal/decrease of central dopamine levels. It is a severe complication characterized by rigidity, change in consciousness level, fever, hypertension, and autonomic instability, that can be fatal. To the best of our knowledge, PHS following deep brain stimulation (DBS) of subthalamic nucleus (STN) surgery due to anti-Parkinson drug discontinuation has been previously reported only six times. Half of these cases resulted in fatalities. Herein, we report on an early diagnosed case of PHS following bilateral STN-DBS which was successfully treated with the administration of dopamine agonists, fluid replacement, and activation of DBS.

Whether to Proceed With Deep Brain Stimulator Battery Change in a Patient With Signs of Potential Sepsis and Parkinson Hyperpyrexia Syndrome: A Case Report

Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS) is a neurologic emergency associated with anti- Parkinson medication withdrawal; however, its clinical presentation mimics sepsis. We describe the case of a 69-year-old man with advanced Parkinson disease who presented for exchange of the depleted battery in his subthalamic deep brain stimulator. The patient's preoperative symptoms of fever, rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability presented a dilemma whether to proceed with battery exchange to treat PHS or postpone surgery due to potential sepsis. The administration of dopaminergic medications, dantrolene, and antipyretic drugs are temporary supportive measures, while prompt restoration of deep brain stimulator function is the most important therapeutic treatment for PHS.

Anesthetic challenges for deep brain stimulation: a systematic approach

Ablative intracranial surgery for Parkinson's disease has advanced to embedding electrodes into precise areas of the basal ganglia. Electrode implantation surgery, referred to as deep brain stimulation (DBS), is preferred in view of its reversibility, adjustability, and capability to be safely performed bilaterally. DBS is been increasingly used for other movement disorders, intractable tremors epilepsy, and sometimes chronic pain. Anesthesiologists need to amalgamate the knowledge of neuroanatomical structures and surgical techniques involved in placement of microelectrodes in defined cerebral target areas. Perioperative verbal communication with the patient during the procedure is quintessential and may attenuate the need for pharmacological agents. This review will endeavor to assimilate the present knowledge regarding the patient selection, available/practiced anesthesia regimens, and perioperative complications after our thorough search for literature published between 1991 and 2013.

Delirium followed by neuroleptic malignant syndrome in rehabilitation setting. Is it anger reaction before discharge?

Delirium and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) are two uncommon syndromes that are often unrecognized or misdiagnosed by the primary physicians as functional psychiatric disorders. The infrequency and the heterogeneity of clinical manifestation, progression and outcome with which those diagnoses are encountered (particularly in chronic rehabilitation settings) make them formidable diagnostic challenge. In this report, we present a case in which there was a misdiagnosis of delirium and NMS as functional psychiatric disorders. This report demonstrates the fact that early recognition and intervention in such cases are essential to prevent the grave outcome and potential fatality. The authors believe that there is a key role for the consulting psychiatrist in this area in providing diagnostic clarity and advice regarding management and ongoing staff education.